Sugar & Spice by Celeste

This Thanksgiving, I decided to change things up just a tiny bit.   Since the dressing is Brad's very favorite dish during the holidays, I always make this Classic Cornbread Dressing with Sausage , which is his VERY favorite.  The holiday just wouldn't be complete with it, and I'd have A LOT of explaining to do if I didn't make it for him...hah.  I needed to make extra dressing this year to take to family gatherings, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to try something new. Our local Fox station has just recently started a brand-new cooking segment on the morning news show, where they feature a local chef whipping up a fabulous dish.  They even unveiled a beautiful new kitchen to use on the show.  One morning before Thanksgiving, Chef Chris Zapalowski from Homewood Gourmet made this Apple-Pecan Cornbread Dressing, and my mouth my drooling by the time the segment was over.  I knew then that this dish would grace our Thanksgiving table. You ...

This year, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes for you all.  Some of these are family recipes that have graced our table year after year, while others are more recent dishes that I've made and thought, "That would be perfect for Thanksgiving!" Right now, there's a 24-lb turkey thawing in the bottom of our fridge, and I can't wait to roast him up!  This is the BIGGEST turkey I've ever attempted to roast, so let's hope it turns out okay.  I may do a combination of the two recipes below.  The Bacon-Herb Butter from Picture #1 that's placed underneath the turkey's skin is amazing, so I may do that but still top Mr. Turkey with the bacon and maple glaze from the second recipe.  Hmm...I'm still trying to decide.  I made the Roast Turkey with Bacon-Herb Butter in 2009, and the Maple Glazed Roast Turkey with Applewood Smoked Bacon last year. I hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, filled with de...

Wait!!  Stop right there!  Don't let the "pea puree" in the title scare you away...haha. I know, I know...When we hear the two little words "pea puree," thoughts of irresistible deliciousness aren't usually the first things that come to mind.  However, maybe it's time to give peas a chance. This dish from Giada de Laurentiis will put all those unsavory thoughts that pea puree sometimes conjures up to rest.  After all, this isn't just any old pea puree...It's flavored with fresh mint, garlic and grated Parmesan.  Plus, when paired with the Lemon Brodetto and seared salmon, you've got one pretty amazing dinner on your table.   Every time I serve this dish, my husband insists that it looks (and tastes) like something you'd order in a 5-star restaurant.  It makes such a beautiful presentation, and you know what??  It's so EASY to make, too. The Lemon Brodetto has such a great flavor, and the pea puree sort of melts into the brodett...

Are you looking for a veggie filled side dish that's got a pretty presentation?  Ina Garten's recipe for Vegetable Tian fits the bill perfectly!  This dish is easy to put together and is a great way to use up some yummy produce.  The colors of this recipe make you want to dive right in! The combination of the potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes makes this a one-stop recipe.  Your starch and your veggies are all right there...no need for a second dish to round out the meal.  And the Gruyere cheese...Oh my!  Gruyere has GOT to be one of my favorite varieties of cheese.  If you look closely at the photos, you can see that I actually had to substitute a little cheddar cheese since I didn't have enough Gruyere.  It tasted great, and I'm sure you could substitute your favorite if you aren't crazy about Gruyere. This dish is so pretty that it would make a great addition to your holiday table this season. Bon Appetit!! Before going into the oven... ...

It's beginning to feel more and more like the holidays around here with each passing day.  A few homes in our neighborhood even have Christmas lights up...I can't believe it's November already!  Christmas music is playing in most stores and on the radio, the department store aisles are decorated, and I'm getting in the mood for the yummy, comfort food that this time of year brings. I can't quite decide how I feel about the rush to put up the Christmas decor.  On one hand, I'm super excited, and on the other I keep thinking about that saying - "Respect the turkey!"  Now, don't get me wrong - I still get excited about Christmas just like when I was a little girl.  My tree goes up every year promptly the day after Thanksgiving.  Hopefully everyone will still take a moment to remember all the things they are thankful for during the coming weeks. With that, let's celebrate the approaching holiday season with some yumminess - How about a quick, ...

Boy oh boy, do we love Halloween time around our house!  We look forward to our annual Halloween bash every year, and this year was no exception!  I knew it would be hard topping the " Blood Fondue Bar " from last year, but I think I may have pulled it off this year with yummy tricks and treats!   The menu consisted of: Forked Eyeballs Mummy Dogs Slime-Covered Apples Pumpkin Apple Spice Cake Blood-Splattered Popcorn Secondhand Swabs Witches Wands Nutty Ghosts Kidney Stew Bat Brew (aka coffee) Sounds yummy, right?!? I was so happy that so many of our family members got to come.  My sisters, and my aunt, uncle and cousin even came from out of town.  I couldn't have pulled the party off without their help! We were excited to dress up and have some fun with everybody!  After all, you're never too grown-up to put on a costume and party, right?? Here are some fun shots from the night...I'll start with the food: Slime-Covered App...